Four gags from Trump and Harris

With less than three weeks to go before the US presidential election and the two candidates neck-and-neck, a charity dinner that has historically featured good-natured banter turned out to be a less-than-joking affair.

Donald Trump appeared at Al Smith's charity dinner with his wife Melania. He gave a speech that resembled a rally – with bitter attacks on his rival Kamala Harris – but, as was tradition, also made a few jokes at his own expense.

Harris broke convention herself by declining to attend a key campaign event and instead sending a video skit that was played to attendees.

The event, which aims to raise funds for women and children in need, is often the last time the two nominees share a stage before Election Day.

Here are four unforgettable moments from the night.

Tradition dictates that presidential candidates present at the dinner pull a few gags at their own expense. Trump acknowledged the convention but said he had “nothing” to say.

“I guess I just don't see the point in shooting myself when other people have been shooting at me for a damn long time,” he joked.

It appeared to be a reference to the fact that he survived two assassination attempts during the 2024 campaign – including in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July, when a gunman's bullet grazed his ear during a rally.

As he returned to a city where he was convicted earlier this year, Trump also acknowledged his legal troubles.

“It is a real pleasure to be with you this evening,” he said, “and it really is a joy everywhere in New York these days without a summons for my appearance.”

Despite a few polite words to the rival Democrats in the room, Trump couldn't resist some electoral outreach.

He addressed the bitter rivalry he had with former Democratic nominee Joe Biden, admitting that he “didn't like Biden very much, but now I like him quite a bit.”

However, he clarified that this was only because Biden dropped out of the presidential race in July. As for his new rival Harris, he hinted that there was a chance he could win her over – but only if she lost the race for the White House.

“If we win I’ll like them, but right now I don’t like them,” he said.

Trump also caused Harris to be harshly criticized for not attending the event in person. He suspected that his opponent must have gone “hunting” with Time Walz, her vice president, sports enthusiast and gun owner.

Instead of attending the dinner, Harris submitted a pre-recorded skit with “Saturday Night Live” alum Molly Shannon in which she mocked Trump.

As part of the sketch written for the Catholic Charities performance, she received advice from Shannon's character on how to interact with the audience. “Don’t lie,” Shannon told Harris. “You shall not bear false witness to your neighbor.”

“Indeed,” Harris replied, criticizing Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 vote. “Especially your neighbor’s election results.”

Harris was also urged by Shannon not to insult Catholics at a Catholic event because it would be “like criticizing Detroit in Detroit.”

That was a reference to an event last week in which Trump said the U.S. would “end up like Detroit” if Harris won the election.

Although Harris didn't make fun of herself in her short video, speakers other than Trump who attended the dinner were on hand to mock Democrats.

“President Biden couldn’t be here tonight,” said host Jim Gaffigan. “The DNC (Democratic National Committee) made that happen.”

Biden withdrew from the presidential campaign in July under pressure from his party's leadership.

North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher breaks down the race for the White House in his twice-weekly newsletter, US Election Unspun. Readers in the UK can Register here. People outside the UK can do this Register here.